FOOTBALL

Temuka Leader, Issue 2401, 20 September 1892, Page 3

FOOTBALL

TEMUKA V. WAIHI. A match between the first fifteens of the above clubs name off on Saturday last in the Victoria Park, and after a closely contested and interesting game resulted in a win for the visitors by 6 points (a o-oal) from a try to nil. On both teams taking the field it was seen that Waihi had the advantage in weight, and it was expected that they would have no difficulty in putting up a large score. Such, however, was not the case, and although they ultimately won the game, it cannot be said that they held any decided advantage. The first spell was very evenly contested, the play being mostly confined to tightly-packed scrums, and ended with no score on either side. In the second spell the game was much more open, and more passing on both sides was indulged in. From a good run A. Opie scored behind the poses, and Shnllard easily registered the major point. This try could easily have been averted had several players “ tackled ”

low instead of going for their men about the neck, as they did on this occasion. From this to the end of the spell there was no other score, although both teams were very near on several occasions, Temuka particularly so. They missed a good chance a few minutes before the call of time by appealing wrongly. The play was very near Waihi’s goal, and from a pass forward by Shallard, Stewart took the ball when “ off side,” and instead of appealing for a free kick for “ oft’side ” play they appealed for a “ pass ” forward, and a scrum was given. During the second spell Temuka practically played with fourteen men, Robinson spraining his ankle. Although he remained on the field he was unable to render any material assistance to his team. For the winners all the backs played well, although Shallard and A. Opie were perhaps more noticeable than the rest. Of the forwards, Hart, Shallard, South, Austin and Stewart were the best, although the latter was continually playing “off side.” For Temuka Storey, at full-back, played splendidly, making few or no mistakes, while McLeod, Russell, Arraitageand McCalluin played well, the last two being especially noticeable for the splendid way in which they stopped the Waihi forward rushes. All the forwards played well, although Gillespie, VVakely, Findlay, Rogers, Lavery, and Low were perhaps the pick. The Junior flag match between Temuka and the Union is to take place next Thursday, when it is to be hoped the local players will make as good a display as they did on Saturday last.

The sixteenth match between Canterbury and Otago was played on the Caledonian ground at Dunedin on Saturday before about 8000 spectators. The game resulted in a win for Canterbury by 7 points (2 tries and penalty goal) to i points (a potted goal), Canterbury winning the toss played with a strong wind in the first spell and ran up a score. In the second spell with the wind, Otago’s combination went to pieces. They could neither take a pass, dribble, nor collar, while the Canterbury forwards showed fine combination. The takings amounted to over £2OO.